The Democrat House Minority Leader in the Montana House of Representatives heaped praise upon the Republican Speaker of the House, calling him "one of the biggest surprises of the session."

This is big news especially given all the attacks that have been lobbed at Montana's Speaker of the House Matt Regier (R-Kalispell) following the drama created by transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr (D-Missoula).

Here is the transcript of what House Minority Leader Kim Abbott (D-Helena) had to say.

Rep. Abbott: Mr. Speaker, you're one of the biggest surprises of the session to me. We didn't have much of a relationship coming in, I didn't know how it would go, we had serious disagreements- but I was always able to communicate with you. I was always able to have a minute to talk to you about something that was concerning to us. And I appreciate that. I didn't know what to expect. And I...yeah...big surprise.

Abbott also praised the work that was accomplished this legislative session and highlighted a significant number of bills that were bipartisan. Click here to watch the full remarks on camera.

I guess The New York Times must have missed those remarks from the senior Democrat in the Montana House before they published their hit piece on Speaker Regier and his family. (Although they did note that he received a standing ovation) If you missed it, there was a great headline in the NYT: One Family Has Spearheaded Montana’s Unflinching Conservatism. While the NYT was obviously attempting to do a hit piece on the Regiers, I think most Montanans will respond positively to the story and thank the Regiers for standing up for everyday people.

This is also worth pointing out that Republicans bent over backwards to be kind and respectful to Rep. Zephyr, and yet the lawmaker from Missoula was determined to disrupt the process, attack fellow lawmakers, and then pretend to be the victim.

By the way, Speaker Regier joined us on Thursday's Montana Talks statewide radio show. He also said how much appreciates Minority Leader Abbott's friendship. Click below for the full audio, including phone calls from across the state.

 

 

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